The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-08-16

''But wish you would come and se
her"
Bother these beggars," mumblec
Steele. But l guess I'll 60 down L
get rid of her."
Steele saw black figure sitting b,
the fire.
We'll" he said TO her, when he Ell
tered, ''what can do for you?"
She turned toward him. Her face
was not that of a beggar. Although 8
trifie pale, it was the face of n pretty
woman of thirty-five.
Il only wished to get warm" she
said. II was so cold that / felt Is if
should freeze. l am sorry to dnturt
YOU. 1 have friends in the town, and
am sure can get employment of some
kind there. l used to live there years
and years ago"
By means of 4 few questions he
learned that she was a widow without
any relations in the world. He was
deeply touched by her story.
What was your husbands name?"
asked Steele.
Garter" she said; George Car
ter"
"Wait here n Moment" he said, and
went up to his room.
He went to his desk and took out
some money. al so seldom give" said
he, land can afford TO be liberal to this
poor woman" He took two ten-dollar
bills and started back to the kitchen.
''She said her name was Carter. Car
ter-Carter? Where have / heard
what! Carteri MY God! That was
he name of her husband. She said
she used to live here years ago. 1t
must be she. 1t is Katie Drew 1t must
bcr'
Steele shook like leaf. He seemed
young again. He remembered her once
more as the sweet-faced girl, and the
heart which had been slumbering so
long seemed to spring into new life.
He sat down on the stairs to compose
himself, and then started again for the
kitchen.
William" said Steele, when he en-
tered, 'here is the key to my Office.
1 wish you would go there and bring
me a packet You will find on my
desk
William fell into the trap without
suspicion, and was off.
Steele seated himself in dark cor
ner and looked ut the woman. He
could see his old love i'm every feature
of the face. He was strangely excited
and knew not what to say.
You say you lived here once?" he
began.
Eyes, when / was a girl" she said.
"And bad fortune has overtaken YOU
since. Perhaps You knew my cousin,
then, John Steele?"
Yes, she said, Il knew him. Is he
not here now?"
mo, poor fellow" said Steele, feel
ing guilty as he spoke the words. she
is dead"
'.Dead!' and she leaned her head on
her hand and wept.
yes" said Steele, feeling like a
murderer as he spoke, ''but none who
knew him were sorry for it. He had
no good in him, and lived selfish
life"
poor man, said the sweet, SYM
pathizing tones. "At heart he was
good"
Something seemed to move Steele.
He got up and stood by her chair. His
hand, by accident, touched her. It
sent thrill through him that seemed
to make a new being of him.
Katie" he said, ''don't you know
me?"
She looked up, started. stood erect
and got good look into his face.
joint" she said, in a scared way.
and hid her face in her hands.
Yes, Katie" he said, lit is John.
was thinking of YOU to-day, and it
seems as though Heaven has sent you"
This is such a shock to me-" and
she sat down again.
Steele's heart was throbbing wildly,
and he quivered with excitement.
al am old, now, Katie, and perhaps
in my speech, but-I-I can't
help what / am saying. You have no
home, ] am rich, and you are the only
woman / ever loved. You are welcome
to all have. My life has been very
lonely. With you l would be happy.
You can't love me. / know, after all
this time, but do not ask that"
She arose as if to 90. Poor Steele's
heart seemed to be bursting. He I'M
put forth his arms and
touched her. With sob she fell into
them and rested her head on his
shoulder.
"Katie!'' he cried, in JOY.
''Oh. John, how can l speak?"
ssSav comafhinn Katia ,,